VEHICULAR ENERGY STORAGE MODULE, BATTERY PACK AND VEHICLE

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a vehicular energy storage module, including an outer casing having two parallel first and second side walls, parallel upper and lower walls, and opposing first and second ends; a battery module housed inside the casing, the battery module including a plurality of battery cell groups, where each battery cell group includes at least two battery cells which are electrically interconnected to each other and arranged side-by-side between the side walls. The battery module comprises multiple heat pipes, wherein each heat pipe comprise parallel first and second heat pipe sections connected by intermediate sections at their respective ends. At least one heat pipe has a first heat pipe section electrically connected to the positive poles of a first battery cell group and a second heat pipe section electrically connected to the negative poles of an adjacent battery cell group. The heat pipes are arranged in contact with positive and negative poles of adjacent battery cell groups on opposite sides of the battery module; wherein the battery cell groups making up the battery module are connected in series.

Claims

1. A vehicular energy storage module, comprising an outer casing (100) having two parallel first and second side walls (101, 102), parallel upper and lower walls (103, 104), and opposing first and second ends (105, 106); a battery module (110) housed inside the casing (100), the battery module including: a plurality of battery cell groups (111), where each battery cell group includes at least two battery cells (121, 122, 123) which are electrically interconnected to each other and arranged side-by-side between the side walls (101, 102); characterized in that the battery module (110) comprises multiple heat pipes (131), wherein each heat pipe (131) comprises parallel first and second heat pipe sections (132, 133) connected by intermediate sections (134, 135) at their respective ends; that at least one heat pipe has a first heat pipe section (132) electrically connected to the positive poles (124) of a first battery cell group (111) and a second heat pipe section (133) electrically connected to the negative poles (125) of an adjacent battery cell group (111); and that heat pipes (131) are arranged in contact with positive and negative poles of adjacent battery cell groups (111) on opposite sides of the battery module (110); wherein the battery cell groups (111) making up the battery module (110) are connected in series.

2. A vehicular energy storage module according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one heat pipe (131) has a rectangular shape.

3. A vehicular energy storage module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized i n that the first and second heat pipe sections (132, 133) and the intermediate sections (134, 135) form a single heat pipe.

4. A vehicular energy storage module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized i n that first and second heat pipe sections (132, 133) are connected by intermediate sections (134, 135) comprising a heat conductive material.

5. A vehicular energy storage module according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that heat pipes (131) are encased within the upper and lower walls (103, 104) to form an integral part of the casing (100).

6. A vehicular energy storage module according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that heat pipes (131) and opposing end portions of the battery cells (121, 122, 123) are encased within the upper and lower walls (103, 104) to form an integral part of the casing (100).

7. A vehicular energy storage module according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the at least one heat pipe has at least one intermediate section (134, 135) thermally coupled to a heat sink (136) in at least one side wall, wherein the heat pipe is arranged to channel heat from the battery cells to the casing.

8. A vehicular energy storage module according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the at least one heat pipe has at least one intermediate section (134, 135) thermally coupled to at least one passive heat sink (136) encased within a side wall in the casing.

9. A vehicular energy storage module according to claim 7 or 8, characterized i n that the heat sink (136) is thermally connected to the intermediate sections (134, 135) at opposite ends of each heat pipe (131).

10. A vehicular energy storage module according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that the heat sink (136) is a metal plate.

11. A vehicular energy storage module according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the casing (100) is open at the first and second ends (105, 106), wherein the first and second side walls (101, 102), and the upper and lower walls (103,

104. form a conduit for a cooling fluid.

12. A vehicular energy storage module according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the casing (100) is provided with end closures at the first and second ends (105, 106), wherein the end closures are provided with couplings connected to a source of cooling fluid.

13. A vehicular energy storage module according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that that the casing (100) consists of a heat conductive and electrically isolating material.

14. A vehicular energy storage module according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the casing (100) consists of a potting compound.

15. A battery pack characterized in that the battery pack comprises multiple vehicular energy storage modules according to claim 1.

16. A vehicle characterized in that the vehicle is provided with a battery pack comprising multiple vehicular energy storage modules according to claim 1.

Description

DRAWING FIGURES

[0025] In the following text, the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. These schematic drawings are used for illustration only and do not in any way limit the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1A shows a schematically indicated first vehicle with a battery pack;

[0027] FIG. 1B shows a schematically indicated second vehicle with a battery pack;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an energy storage module;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the energy storage module in FIG. 2;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of the energy storage module in FIG. 2; and

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a schematic end view of the energy storage module in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS AND EXAMPLES

[0032] FIG. 1A shows a schematically indicated first vehicle V1 in the form of a truck provided with a battery pack B1. FIG. 1B shows a schematically indicated second vehicle V2 in the form of a marine vessel provided with a battery pack B2. The battery packs B1 and B2 indicated in the figures are high voltage traction batteries comprising multiple energy storage modules, which will be described in detail below. The vehicles V1, V2 can also comprise a single energy storage module M1, M2 used for powering auxiliary electrical devices.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicular energy storage module comprising an outer casing 100 having two parallel first and second side walls 101, 102, parallel upper and lower walls 103, 104, and opposing first and second ends 105, 106. The casing 100 is only schematically indicated in FIG. 2, in order to show the enclosed component parts. The casing 100 encloses a battery module 110 which battery module includes a plurality of battery cell submodules 111, or battery cell groups. In this example, each battery cell group 111 includes three battery cells 121, 122, 123 which are electrically interconnected to each other and arranged side-by-side between the side walls 101, 102. As indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, adjacent battery groups 111 are arranged with their positive poles in opposite directions.

[0034] The battery module 110 comprises multiple heat pipes 131, wherein each heat pipe 131 comprises parallel first and second heat pipe sections 132, 133 connected by intermediate sections 134, 135 at their respective ends (see FIG. 3). In this way, the heat pipes form the outline of a rectangle. The heat pipes 131 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 have a first heat pipe section 132 electrically connected to the positive poles 124 of a first battery cell group 111 and a second heat pipe section 133 electrically connected to the negative poles 125 of an adjacent battery cell group 111. This arrangement allows the first and second heat pipe sections 132, 133 to connect battery cells 121, 122, 123 in each battery cell group 111 in parallel throughout the battery module 110. Further, heat pipes 131 are arranged in contact with positive and negative poles of adjacent battery cell groups 111 on opposite sides of the battery module 110, wherein the battery cell groups 111 making up the battery module 110 are connected in series throughout the battery module 110. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, one heat pipe at either end of the lower wall 104 of the battery module 110 will only be in contact with a single battery cell group 111.

[0035] FIG. 2 further indicates that opposite intermediate sections 134, 135 of each heat pipe 131 are thermally coupled to a heat sink 136 in a respective side wall, wherein the heat pipe is arranged to channel heat from the battery cells to the casing. Heat is conducted directly into the upper and lower walls by the heat pipes 131 and indirectly into the side walls 101,102 via the heat sinks 136. According to an alternative example, the ends of opposite intermediate sections 134, 135 on two adjacent heat pipe 131 can be thermally coupled to a common heat sink 136.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the energy storage module in FIG. 2. In the example indicated in FIG. 2 the heat pipes 131 and opposing end portions of the battery cells 121, 122, 123 are encased within the upper and lower walls 103, 104 of the casing 100 to form an integral part thereof. In FIG. 3 the internal component parts normally integrated in the casing 100 have been removed for clarity reasons. As described in FIG. 2, the casing 100 comprises two parallel first and second side walls 101, 102, parallel upper and lower walls 103, 104, and opposing first and second ends 105, 106. As indicated by dashed lines in the casing 100, the heat pipes and opposed ends of the battery cells are encased within the upper and lower walls 103, 104 to form an integral part of the casing 100.

[0037] A battery management unit (not shown) for monitoring and controlling the operation of the cells in the battery module can be mounted integrated in one of the walls making up the casing. Similarly, electrical wiring for connecting the module to electrical consumers in the vehicle, or to adjacent modules are preferable integrated in the casing. The electrical wiring is connected to external contacts or sockets (not shown) on the outer surface of the casing.

[0038] The exploded view in FIG. 3 shows that each battery cell group 111 includes three battery cells 121, 122, 123 arranged side-by-side and where adjacent battery groups 111 are arranged with their positive poles 124 (+) and negative poles 125 (-) arranged alternately in opposite directions. The figure further shows an upper set 141 and a lower set 142 of heat pipes 131 arranged on opposite sides of the battery cell assembly in the battery module 110. Each heat pipe 131 comprises parallel first and second heat pipe sections 132, 133 connected by intermediate sections 134, 135 at their respective ends. In this way, the sections form a continuous heat pipe having the outline of a rectangle. This arrangement provides a relatively light heat pipe, as opposed to a single solid rectangular body. The heat pipes 131 shown in FIG. 3 have a first heat pipe section 132 electrically connected to the positive poles 124 of a first battery cell group 111 and a second heat pipe section 133 electrically connected to the negative poles 125 of an adjacent battery cell group 111. The respective intermediate sections 134, 135 at opposite ends of each heat pipe 131 are thermally coupled to a heat sink 136, wherein the heat pipe is arranged to channel heat from the battery cells to the side walls of the casing 101, 102. In this example, each heat sink 136 is thermally connected to the intermediate sections 134, 135 of each heat pipe 131.

[0039] According to an alternative example, each heat sink 136 can be thermally connected to the ends of intermediate sections 134, 135 of two adjacent heat pipes. In this example, one heat sink 136 at either end of the upper wall 103 of the battery module 110 will only be thermally coupled to the intermediate section of a single heat pipe 131.

[0040] As indicated in FIG. 2 above, the heat pipes 131 with their intermediate sections 134, 135 are thermally coupled to passive heat sinks 136 encased within the side walls of the casing. The heat sinks 136 shown in these examples are metal plates made from e.g. copper. In order to prevent leakage currents through the casing 100, the casing consists of a heat conductive and electrically isolating material. A suitable material for this purpose is a potting compound.

[0041] FIG. 3 further shows that the casing 100 with its first and second side walls 101, 102, and upper and lower walls (103, 104) form an open conduit or cavity 107 through the first and second ends 105, 106 of the casing. This cavity 107 allows a flow of cooling fluid to pass through he casing 100 in order to cool the battery module 110 located therein. According to an alternative example (not shown), the casing 100 can be provided with end closures at the first and second ends 105, 106, wherein the end closures can be provided with couplings connected to a source of cooling fluid.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of the energy storage module in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 indicates how the heat pipes 131 and opposed ends of the battery cells 111 are encased within the upper and lower walls 103, 104 to form an integral part of the casing 100. The figure further indicates that the heat sinks 136 are thermally connected to the intermediate section 135 of each heat pipe 131. According to an alternative example, the heat sinks 136 can be thermally connected to the ends of the intermediate section 135 of two adjacent heat pipes 131.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a schematic end view of the energy storage module in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 Indicates how the heat pipes 131 and opposed positive poles 124 and negative poles 125 of the battery cells 111 in a battery cell group are electrically connected, as well as being encased within the upper and lower walls 103, 104 to form an integral part of the casing 100. The figure further indicates how the heat sinks 136 are thermally connected to the intermediate sections 134, 135 of each heat pipe 131.

[0044] The disclosure should not be deemed to be limited to the embodiments described above, but rather a number of further variants and modifications are conceivable within the scope of the following patent claims.